Appeasing Hitler: 1933 - 1939

Hitler Becomes Chancellor

Jan 30, 1933

Adolf Hitler is made chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg.

Hitler Rebuilds Military

Mar 16, 1935

Hitler breaks the Treaty of Versailles by building an air force, a navy, and starting a military draft. Britain appeases Hitler by allowing him to build a navy 1/3 the size of Britain's.

Retaking of the Rhineland

Mar 1, 1936

Germany retakes the Rhineland, an area on the border of France, by sending in troops. This area was supposed to be a "demilitarized zone" according to the Treaty of Versailles.

Annexation of Austria ("Anschluss")

Feb 1, 1938

Hitler sent troops into neighboring Austria to "reunite all German peoples," and Austrian leaders gave in to Hitler. France protested but did nothing.

Munich Conference

Sep 29, 1938

Hitler wants to take the Sudetenland, a part of Czechoslovakia. Representatives from Britain and France meet with Hitler and Mussolini to negotiate. In the end, France and Britain give in to Hitler to avoid war.

Hitler Takes Danzig

Oct 26, 1938

Hitler wants the city of Danzig back and also demands a railroad and highway going from Germany to Danzig. Britain and France do nothing but know a war could come soon.

Invasion of Czechoslovakia

Mar 1, 1939

Hitler ignores the agreement made at the Munich Conference and sends troops to occupy Czechoslovakia.

Hitler/Stalin Non-aggression Pact

Aug 23, 1939

Hitler and Stalin agree to avoid war with each other. Stalin gains time to continue building his military, and Hitler avoids a two-front war. This also gives Hitler freedom to invade Poland.

German Invasion of Poland

Sep 1, 1939

German troops invade Poland using blitzkrieg, or "lightning war." They crush Polish resistance, and World War II begins when Britain and France declare war two days later.